Terim: Turkish delight will continue

Fatih Terim will leave his post as Turkey coach secure in the knowledge his team have the ability to become regular contenders in future European Championships and World Cups.

The Turks lost 3-2 to Germany in Wednesday night's Euro 2008 semi-final in Basle, in what should prove to be Terim's last match in charge. And he leaves behind a side he feels can go on to achieve great things in major tournaments over the next few years.

"I believe we can build on this," he said. "Football is important in Turkey - 70 million hearts were beating with my players here."

He added: "I believe a country like Turkey must be in tournaments like these. It is important to participate - whether we come first or last, it is just important to be here.

"But I believe that in the future, Turkey will be present in World Cups and European Championships.

"Once you start playing regularly at these tournaments, it's good for the team. If you go away and don't play in four years' time, all this won't be worthwhile."

On his immediate future, Terim - who will now return to club football - said: "I declared earlier that I would not work in Turkey and I keep my promises, so I will most probably go to another European country.

"But I can't make any specific declarations before talking to my federation.

"So let's leave it for a few days and I'll have some internal discussions, but I will probably come back towards Europe."